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Senators demand review of alleged Israeli rights violations
(MENAFN) A group of Democratic senators urged the US Secretary of State on Wednesday to investigate what they describe as “many hundreds” of possible violations of American human rights law by Israeli military forces in Gaza, referencing findings from a classified State Department report.
The letter, led by Senators Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Jack Reed of Rhode Island, highlighted that a report by the State Department’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) found Israeli units may have committed “many hundreds” of potential violations of US human rights law in Gaza, noting it could take the department “multiple years” to review them.
The lawmakers emphasized the need for prompt action, stating: “Given these findings, we urge you to quickly implement the OIG’s recommendations and adjudicate these cases in a timely manner in order to ensure compliance with U.S. law.” They warned that delays in assessing incidents such as killings, torture, and other abuses risk undermining US laws that bar security assistance to foreign units credibly accused of human rights violations. “Without effective enforcement mechanisms, these laws and policies become meaningless,” they added.
Additional signatories included Senators Jeff Merkley, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Peter Welch, Brian Schatz, Tim Kaine, Patty Murray, Tina Smith, and Ed Markey. The senators requested a response by Dec. 9, outlining detailed plans for reviewing potential Leahy Law violations by Israeli units, including needed resources and adjustments to vetting protocols to ensure consistency across countries.
A State Department official said the department “is aware of and complies with its legal obligations.” The Israeli military has not immediately responded.
To date, no Israeli unit has been deemed ineligible for US assistance under the Leahy Law, despite pending investigations into high-profile incidents, including the killing of World Central Kitchen aid workers in April 2024 and the deaths of over 100 Palestinians near Gaza City in February 2024.
The Leahy Law, named after former Senator Patrick Leahy, requires the US to withhold military aid from foreign security forces if there is credible evidence of human rights violations.
Humanitarian reports indicate that since October 2023, Israeli military operations in Gaza have killed nearly 70,000 people—mostly women and children—and injured around 171,000, leaving much of the territory in ruins.
The letter, led by Senators Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Jack Reed of Rhode Island, highlighted that a report by the State Department’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) found Israeli units may have committed “many hundreds” of potential violations of US human rights law in Gaza, noting it could take the department “multiple years” to review them.
The lawmakers emphasized the need for prompt action, stating: “Given these findings, we urge you to quickly implement the OIG’s recommendations and adjudicate these cases in a timely manner in order to ensure compliance with U.S. law.” They warned that delays in assessing incidents such as killings, torture, and other abuses risk undermining US laws that bar security assistance to foreign units credibly accused of human rights violations. “Without effective enforcement mechanisms, these laws and policies become meaningless,” they added.
Additional signatories included Senators Jeff Merkley, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Peter Welch, Brian Schatz, Tim Kaine, Patty Murray, Tina Smith, and Ed Markey. The senators requested a response by Dec. 9, outlining detailed plans for reviewing potential Leahy Law violations by Israeli units, including needed resources and adjustments to vetting protocols to ensure consistency across countries.
A State Department official said the department “is aware of and complies with its legal obligations.” The Israeli military has not immediately responded.
To date, no Israeli unit has been deemed ineligible for US assistance under the Leahy Law, despite pending investigations into high-profile incidents, including the killing of World Central Kitchen aid workers in April 2024 and the deaths of over 100 Palestinians near Gaza City in February 2024.
The Leahy Law, named after former Senator Patrick Leahy, requires the US to withhold military aid from foreign security forces if there is credible evidence of human rights violations.
Humanitarian reports indicate that since October 2023, Israeli military operations in Gaza have killed nearly 70,000 people—mostly women and children—and injured around 171,000, leaving much of the territory in ruins.
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